Designer DETAIL - Kirrily Johnston
Kirrily Johnston is one of Australia's most loved fashion designers within the industry, and for good reason. Ever since she launched her label at Australian Fashion Week in 2004, Johnston has received outstanding reviews from fashion editors both in Australia and abroad.
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Focusing on luxurious fabrics and quality craftsmanship, her clothes are detailed and tailored yet maintain a sexy modern edge.
Johnston trained at the Melbourne Institute of Textiles and began her career in fashion in Melbourne in 1999. Since then, she has continued to impress season after season, attracting some of the world's most stylish women, including Nicole Kidman, Mischa Barton, Kate Hudson, Irina Lazaroanu and Miranda Kerr to name a few.
Her fashion week show is always highly anticipated. The buzz surrounding it each year is not simply due to the stunning off-site venue perched above Australia's most famous beach, Icebergs Restaurant, which she continues to return to season after season, or the latte and patisserie on offer. The fact that three hundred fashion editors, buyers and industry heads cram into the glistening venue for the first show on the first day, right on time, speaks a thousand words. That's 9:00am in the real world, in the fashion world - too early o'clock.
Known for her casual elegance and innovative designs, Johnston is not afraid to take risks and quickly grasped a signature style that gently evolves each season at a rate just quick enough for her loyal followers to keep up with, yet always one step ahead of the game. Silk always plays a major role along with knits, a mix of electric and muted block colours and a stripe thrown in here and there. Simple shapes are always flowing and have been crafted to create billowing silhouettes that are uniquely sexy, rather than figure hugging and obvious.
Her collection for Autumn/Winter '09 'Black Perfume' lends itself to worldly inspiration. Johnston states; "My inspiration is drawn from the decadence that frequented the underground opium dens of Paris and Shanghai in the early 1900's. Picture dimly lit rooms, where artists and poet's could be found induced in dreamlike states - this captures the look and feel of the new collection".
A carefully selected palate of black, cream, burnt orange, gold and stripes create mystery and dark romance. The combination of rich textures and layers create a distinct feeling of decadence. Using leather, boucle wools, georgettes and silk satins, the collection can be taken from something clean and simple to something quite avant-garde and directional.
Signature soft tailoring is used to create long silhouettes and loose flowing styles. These silhouettes juxtapose beautifully with the sleekest of leather pants and over the knee boots with chunky gold zips, adding a sexy unexpected edge.
Details such as pin tucking, subtle gold hardware add interest along with versatile ties, which can be twisted into knots allowing the wearer to customize their look for every occasion.
Johnston plans to open an additional two flagship stores in Australia in 2009 and to showcase her next collection at London Fashion Week with her focus for expansion firmly on the UK and Europe.
The brand has two boutiques in Australia and over 70 stockists internationally in the world's most renowned Fashion precincts.
Visit www.kirrilyjohnston.com
